Inaugurates annual Baisakhi Mela, celebrates birth
of girl child during Baisakhi celebration
KATHUA, APRIL 13 : Terming the Government`s announcement of
sanctioning Degree College at Ramkote in Billawar a Baisakhi gift to the
students residing in remote areas, Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh said
the present dispensation has sanctioned 6 new degree colleges for Jammu
Division which will fulfil the aspirations of students living in remote areas.
Dr Singh said this during a public meeting held
today at Ramkote where large number of people gathered to express their
gratitude towards the Government`s decision to provide Degree College to the
area which will serve the interest of students living in remote villages.
Dy CM informed the gathering that the sanctioned
degree college will function in make-shift accommodation from ensuing session
2018-19 till permanent structure for the college gets raised. He said earlier
there was only one degree college in Billawar and the students from remote and
backward areas were unable to avail the benefits of higher education but with
the upcoming Degree College at Ramkote, students will reap the benefits of
higher education.
Earlier, the Dy CM inaugurated historic Baisakhi
Festival at Billawar and conveyed his greetings to all who were present during
the Baisakhi celebrations.
Underscoring the need to revive age old festival
celebrations at historic places, Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh said
Baisakhi is an important festival of the region and all sections of society
join together in the festivities.
Describing historical importance of Billawar town,
the Deputy Chief Minister said reference of the town is found in several
historical chronicle of the sub-continent and the region has vast tourism
potential for which efforts would be intensified to explore the potential to
its fullest.
He directed ADC Billawar to raise the benchmark of
this Baisakhi celebration so that it becomes a major tourist attraction and
people from not only Billawar but from other states will come to become part of
these annual celebrations. He also announced a 10 MVA transformer for the
village.
On the occasion Birth of 200 girl children was also
celebrated by giving them account passbook under Laadli Beti Yojana by the Dy
CM who encouraged all the stakeholders to celebrate the birth of girl child in
their home.
He further said that in contemporary times, male
and female child have equal potential and it is up to us how we explore their
qualities.
Stalls of different government departments were
also installed at the festival site showcasing their working, schemes and
programmes. Dr Singh inspected all the stalls and handed over keys of
subsidized tractor and other Agri Machinery to the beneficiaries.
Speaking on the occasion, Dy CM said that State
government is keen to develop the areas of religious and tourist importance,
for which several projects have been undertaken. He said during the past 3 years Rs. 10 Crore has
been spent on augmenting PDD infra in Billawar, roads worth Rs. 58 Crore under
CRF were kick started, Rs. 30 Crore have been spent by PWD(R & B)
department to strengthen the road network, bridges worth Rs. 55 Crore and roads
amounting to Rs. 201 Crore under PMGSY along with several other projects will
make Billawar a model constituency and help in uplifting the socio-economic
conditions of the people.
Dr Singh stated that sincere effort will be made to
make the Baisakhi Mela and other cultural fest a regular and important feature
on the state culture calendar and directed the officers of Tourism department
to bring the Baisakhi Mela under the ambit of Tourism department as it will
help in resuscitating tourism.
An impressive cultural programme comprising of
Dogri folk songs and dances by the local artist remained key attraction of the
Mela which was organized by the Billawar Administration along with District
Employment Centre Kathua.
Vice-Chairman, J&K State Advisory Board for
Development of Kissans, Daljeet Singh Chib congratulated the people on the
occasion of Baisakhi. He said people of Billawar have maintained and shown
communal harmony during the adversities, which pave a way for congenial
atmosphere of development. He appreciated the organizing committee for putting
hard efforts to make this magnificent Mela a grand success.
He assured the people that Billawar, Bani and
Basohli will be developed as big tourist hub in coming times adding that the
scenic beauty of this area has no match which needs to be explored further and
announced Rs. 50000 for Baisakhi Celebrations.
Among others, ADC Billawar, Joginder Singh Rai, CEO
Kathua, Nirmal Choudhary, Dy Dir. DECC, D C Bhatti, BDOs, Tehsildars, XENs,
social activist Mamta Singh and other district officers and people in large
numbers were present during the Baisakhi Mela.
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